Regional ecosystem details for 8.1.4
| Regional ecosystem | 8.1.4 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Of concern |
| Wetlands | Palustrine |
| Biodiversity status | Endangered |
| Subregion | 2, 5, (4), (6), (11.14) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 2000 ha; Remnant 2021 1000 ha |
| Short description | Schoenoplectus subulatus and/or Eleocharis dulcis sedgeland or Paspalum vaginatum tussock grassland |
| Structure code | Sedgeland |
| Description | Schoenoplectus subulatus and/or Eleocharis dulcis sparse sedgeland to closed sedgeland or Paspalum vaginatum sparse tussock grassland to closed tussock grassland. Often consists of areas of permanent, slightly tidally-influenced open water, often with a zoned distribution (from deepest to shallowest) of sedges and grasses (usually concentrated around the edges). Some species tend to occur in isolated clumps (e.g. Schoenoplectus subulatus and Phragmites spp.). Other species may include Sporobolus virginicus, Cyperus scariosus, Blyxa spp., Nymphaea spp., Typha domingensis and Persicaria attenuata. There may be occasional emergents of mangrove spp. or Melaleuca spp. Occurs on intertidal and supratidal flats, low lying drainage lines and swamps receiving a mixture of saltwater and freshwater depending on tides and seasons. May consist of large swamps, or more often smaller occurrences adjoining tidal ecosystems, or a linear channel at the more freshwater end of tidal creeks. Geologies mapped as Qhe/m (Holocene mud, sandy mud, muddy sand and minor gravel), Qm (Quaternary coastal mud, silt and minor evaporites), Qhct (Holocene silt, mud and sand), Qhcm (Holocene mud and sandy mud) and Qhe/s (Holocene sand, muddy sand, mud and minor gravel). Palustrine. (BVG1M: 34c). |
| Supplementary description | Bailey et al. (2003), CW-1; Batianoff, Dillewaard and Franks (1997), Vegetation Unit 7 (in part); Brushe et al. (in prep), Map Unit c108; Cumming (1997), Vegetation type 35; Nexus Environmental Studies Pty Ltd (1998), 7a; Queensland Herbarium (2008) Wetsl |
| Protected areas | Byfield NP, Bakers Creek CP, Percy Isles NP, Sandringham Bay CP, Brampton Islands NP, Broad Sound Islands Conservation Park, Broad Sound Islands NP |
| Special values | 8.1.4: This RE is the main stronghold for Schoenoplectus subulatus, Phragmites spp. and Eleocharis dulcis. Habitat for the threatened fauna species False Water Rat (Xeromys myoides) (listed as "Vulnerable" in the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992) and the locally rare species Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus), and Pale Field Rat (Rattus tunneyi). Important as habitat for Schoenoplectus subulatus, Paspalum vaginatum, P. distichum, Phragmites australis and Eleocharis spiralis which are largely restricted to this regional ecosystem. |
| Fire management guidelines | INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. ISSUES: Fire can degrade habitat values including removal of food items for wader birds and other bird species. |
| Comments | 8.1.4: Relatively common on inland margins of marine ecosystems, however occurrences are generally small in size. Distinguished from all other regional ecosystems by the presence of permanent water (slightly saline or fluctuating between fresh and saltwater), and dominance of Schoenoplectus subulatus and or Eleocharis dulcis and/or Paspalum vaginatum. Mapped around the mouth of Proserpine River, on the Goorganga Plains, from Sand Bay (south of Cape Hillsborough) to Cape Palmerston and around Corio Bay. Threatening processes include draining and filling for agriculture and industrial development, weed invasion (particularly *Urochloa mutica, *Hymenachne amplexicaulis and *Arundo donax), changes to the natural fluctuation between brackish water and freshwater due to the construction of bund walls, redirection of freshwater flows, and pig damage. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 pre-clearing and 2021 remnant regional ecosystem mapping. Figures are rounded for simplicity. For more precise estimates, including breakdowns by tenure and other themes see remnant vegetation in Queensland.
